WASHINGTON — Incoming House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., on Tuesday named Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., to chair House Democrats' campaign arm, bypassing the two Californians who were actively seeking the post.
"She is the right leader, with the right experience and the right demeanor to meet this pivotal moment," said Jeffries, who next month will take the reins from outgoing House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
His decision is a blow to Reps. Ami Bera and Tony Cárdenas, Californians who both had expressed interest in the job. They had declared their candidacy for the post when it was still among the party leadership positions decided by a caucuswide election.
